Exit. This is how the agents involved in the organization of the 20th edition of the Seville European Film Festival describe the development of this week that comes to an end today. According to box office data, occupancy has reached almost 85% of its capacity, or in other words, 30,000 people have attended to see one of the films in the venues where the almost hundred titles that made up the programming were projected. the Cervantes Cinema and Nervión Plaza.
The diversity of genres, the quality of the production and the representation of different cultures have been the basis of this good reception by the Sevillian public who, once again, has demonstrated interest in the seventh art and the city's support for these types of cultural events.
A few hours before this complicated edition, which has been shorter than usual and without winners, comes to an end, both the Government team and the Festival coordinator have admitted that they already have in mind the organization of the next installment, scheduled from November 8 to 16, 2024.
The Seville European Film Festival faces its final hours before ending its 20th edition this Wednesday night with the screenings of the films Crossing at the Cine Cervantes and La Tierra Prometida, Aqui, When it melts and the documentary Riqueni at the MK2 Cinesur Nervión Plaza. These last four SEFF events will increase the figures already known regarding the participation and acceptance by the public of this twentieth edition.
One of the most notable aspects of this 2023 Seville Festival has been the selection of films, which has managed to attract the attention of several dozen critics, journalists and film buffs alike. The diversity of genres, the quality of the production and the representation of various cultures have contributed to the richness of the programming, which has reaffirmed the festival's reputation as a benchmark on the national scene. It is also worth highlighting the presence in this edition of prominent personalities from the film industry, such as Catherine Breillat, Pablo Berger, Antonio Saura, Carlota Pereda, Rafa Cobos, Víctor Clavijo, Julia de Castro, Federico Schmukler and Jacqueline van Vugt, among others. has contributed to the immersive atmosphere of the event, which has resonated in the media.
In addition, the parallel activities, which have also had a notable reception and full capacity at many of their scheduled events, have added an extra that has allowed attendees to immerse themselves in a complete cultural experience. The filmmakers, actors and technical teams present at the festival have praised the dedication of the organizing team and the warmth of the public.
Manuel Cristóbal, general coordinator of this installment of the Seville European Film Festival 2023, has spoken in this sense. “The Seville City Council and the sector agreed that the festival would be held this year and today we can congratulate ourselves for having achieved it. This demonstrates the commitment of José Luis Sanz as mayor and Minerva Salas as Culture delegate. Despite the lost months at the beginning of the year and the difficult situation in which the festival finds itself, we have achieved a magnificent edition and it is time to reflect on the future, because Seville has a festival for a while. We are pleased to have been able to offer the Sevillian public the best of European and of course Andalusian cinema. See you from November 8 to 16, 2024.” This is one of the feelings of the Festival and its coordinator in this 20th edition,
Added to this were voices from the national and regional film scene, present at a meeting held today Thursday with the mayor of the city, José Luis Sanz, such as Marta Velasco, president of the Andalusian Film Academy, who declared that, From its organization, they are "very satisfied and happy", wanting to "thank the festival team and Manuel Cristóbal for their effort and dedication, with the sector and with the spectators, in an edition as special as this one."
Likewise, Lourdes Palacios, president of ASECAN, has mentioned that this year "we can only applaud the enormous effort that the Seville Festival has made to carry out, not without difficulties, an edition of the SEFF that the audiovisual sector demanded, favoring the meeting of public with the theaters, facilitating the projection of Andalusian cinema alongside European cinema, and laying the foundations for a great next year. At Asecan we know that we will be able to continue celebrating the Seville European Film Festival."
José Alba, president of ANCINE, also joins the various statements made about this 20th edition that is now ending: “The magic of cinema and Manuel Cristóbal as coordinator have made it possible for this edition to be as excellent as the best ones experienced to date. ”.
Also, Rogelio Delgado, president of AEDAVA, has cited that this 20th edition “has been the demonstration that dreams can come true, when you have behind you a team of professionals very well led, in this case by Manuel Cristóbal and the representatives of the city, the mayor and the Culture delegate, as well as the support of the professional film sectors, who are collaborating to keep the wonderful dream of SEFF alive. Now we have to applaud and start preparing for the next edition, which has to be different, but in line with the European commitment, promotion and city, that the Festival has.”
Likewise, Agus Jiménez, president of AAMMA, has highlighted her satisfaction with an edition that “has allowed us not only to maintain the Women in Focus space within the Seville Festival, but with it as a tool, expand these important activities to give visibility to "women in the cinematographic world and that special 'Cinema with a gender perspective'."
The delegate of Culture and Sports of the Seville City Council, Minerva Salas, has expressed herself in similar terms, who has influenced the SEFF's commitment to "especially recognize the talent of our land, Andalusia, without ceasing to focus on cinema." European, and once again defending from the Seville town council the role of the Seville Festival as a window for the production and creation of Andalusian audiovisual.
For his part, José Luis Sanz, mayor of Seville, highlighted “the enormous reception from the public, who has turned their attention to this edition of the Film Festival, which has, without a doubt, had the great 20th anniversary it deserved. Now we have to start working from tomorrow, all together hand in hand and of course, together with the sector, whom I thank for their support and understanding in these months, in an upcoming 21st edition that will make the festival itself grow and allow us to strengthen also the role that Seville occupies in the European cultural calendar.” Likewise, the mayor has finally congratulated “the entire SEFF team with its coordinator Manuel Cristóbal at the helm, for creating a magnificent edition that has received all the love and support of the people of Seville and so many film lovers who They come to our city every November to enjoy the programming and are, without a doubt, the true reason for the festival.”
